Intake & Transfer Rules at Louisiana Corr. Inst. (St. Gabriel): When You Can Visit Someone New

At Louisiana Corr. Inst. (St. Gabriel), visitation isn't allowed while someone is in intake status. There are limited exceptions for immediate family if intake runs longer than 30 days. Once intake ends - or after a transfer - the Warden (or designee) may approve visits sooner than the standard timeline.

"Intake status" is the initial processing period when someone first enters the system or arrives at a new facility. During intake, visitation isn't allowed. If your loved one just got to St. Gabriel and staff say they're still "in intake," you'll need to wait before scheduling a regular visit.

Sometimes intake drags on. If it extends beyond 30 days, the incarcerated person can request a special visit with immediate family members. This request goes through the Reception Center's visiting procedures - it's not the same as being fully open for visits under the normal application process.

Once intake ends, there's a way to see immediate family sooner. The incarcerated person can request visits while the full visitation application is still being processed. If the Warden (or designee) approves, immediate family can visit before all the paperwork is finalized. The key: intake must be complete first, and the request has to come from the person inside.

When someone transfers to a different institution, previously approved visitors don't automatically carry over. The receiving facility's Warden (or designee) decides when visits can resume. Timing varies - it depends on how quickly the new facility confirms visitor status and grants approval.

Transfers can also affect people who haven't visited before. In these cases, the incarcerated person may request tentative approval for immediate family visits. The Warden (or designee) must agree, and family members need to be listed on the offender's master record. Expect the facility to verify the relationship before allowing the visit.

Practical Steps

• ✓ Ask your loved one (when you can communicate) whether they are still in intake status - visits aren’t allowed during intake.
• ✓ If intake has ended, ask your loved one to request immediate-family visitation authorization while the visitation application is being completed.
• ✓ If intake has gone past 30 days, ask your loved one to request a special immediate-family visit under Reception Center visiting procedures.
• ✓ If your loved one has transferred, confirm with the receiving facility whether visits with approved visitors are being authorized by the Warden/designee.
• ✓ If there’s no established visiting record yet, make sure immediate family is claimed on the offender’s master record and be ready for relationship verification if requested.

1. If intake reaches 30+ days, request a special visit - The offender can request a special immediate-family visit that follows Reception Center visiting procedures.
2. Once intake is over, request immediate-family authorization - At the offender’s request, the Warden/designee may allow immediate-family visits while the standard visitation application is still being completed.
3. After a transfer, re-confirm visiting access at the receiving facility - Visits with approved visitors may be allowed, but it’s up to the receiving Warden/designee.